Related

VANCOUVER — The goal-starved Vancouver Canucks will be after their third straight victory tonight (7 p.m., Sportsnet Pacific, Team 1040) when they entertain the goalie-starved Nashville Predators at Rogers Arena.

The Canucks’ offence has fallen on hard times this season and is averaging just 2.47 goals per game, which is a dismal 21st in the league. They have scored but seven times in their last six outings and have been shut out twice in their last five.

A number of Canucks are in personal goal droughts, led by first-liner Daniel Sedin, who hasn't found the net in 10 games. Alex Burrows hasn't scored yet this season in 19 games while David Booth hasn't scored in 12 games. Jannik Hansen has no goals in 10, Brad Richardson none in nine and Chris Higgins none in six.

Canucks interim head coach Mike Sullivan stressed that gambling to score or making risky plays is not the preferred method to break a slump.

“I think sometimes if players do struggle scoring goals, the focus becomes on goal scoring and, based on our experience, we think the best way to score goals is to take the focus off that and place it more on the team aspect,” Sullivan explained following an optional morning skate. “If we continue to defend the proper way and play the game the right way and generate our offence off that, the goals will happen for us.”

In terms of the lineup, captain Henrik Sedin will miss his second straight game while Richardson pronounced himself good to go after missing practice Wednesday. He was slashed on the leg Tuesday night by Edmonton Oilers winger Jordan Eberle.

“He got me pretty good,” Richardson said. “I didn't even see who did it so I was asking around to find out who did it. It hurt pretty good and it was kind of tough to walk yesterday. I'm fine now. After I got some treatment, I felt a lot better.”

The Canucks will make one lineup change as defenceman Ryan Stanton returns after missing five weeks with an ankle sprain. Yannick Weber is expected to come out.

“I feel good but there will obviously be some nerves getting back in the lineup,” Stanton said. “I just want to have a good first shift to get back into things.”

Stanton was injured Dec. 17 in Minnesota when he was taken into the end boards by Zenon Konopka, who has since moved on to the Buffalo Sabres.

“It was a hockey play and I don't think he was trying to hurt me by any means,” Stanton said. “But I wish he had kind of waited a second later and hit me against the boards, but I don't think there was any intent to injure.”

Roberto Luongo will make his third straight start and stressed that patience will be a key against the Predators.

“We can't get frustrated by them and try to open things up,” said Luongo, who is 18-10-6 on the season with a 2.19 GAA and .924 save percentage.

The Predators, meanwhile, have been playing goalie roulette since Pekka Rinne went out of their lineup (hip) after an Oct. 22 game in Minnesota. They have deployed four different goalies in Rinne's absence, the latest to join them former Edmonton Oiler Devan Dubnyk. Carter Hutton (10-7-2) is scheduled to start tonight, however.

Veteran David Legwand, the subject of trade speculation due to an expiring contract, leads the Preds in scoring with 35 points while Craig Smith is their top goal-scorer with 15. Defenceman Michael Del Zotto, acquired Wednesday from the New York Rangers for Kevin Klein, will make his Preds' debut, possibly alongside rookie Seth Jones. He had 11 points and was minus-4 in 42 games with Alain Vigneault's Rangers.

The Predators' expected two top lines will see Mike Fisher between Colin Wilson and Patric Hornqvist and Legwand centring for Nick Spaling and Smith. Their other expected lines are Matt Cullen at centre between Gabriel Bourque and either Eric Nystrom or Taylor Beck and Paul Gaustad between Rich Clune and Viktor Stalberg.

ICE CHIPS: The Preds’ power play is tied for sixth in the league (21 per cent) while the Canucks sit a dismal 24th at 14.7 per cent … Only two Preds are plus-players this season, defenceman Ryan Ellis at plus-5 and Craig Smith, at plus-3 ... Referees for tonight's game are Chris Rooney and Marc Joanette.

Comments

We encourage all readers to share their views on our articles and blog posts. We are committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion, so we ask you to avoid personal attacks, and please keep your comments relevant and respectful. If you encounter a comment that is abusive, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box to report spam or abuse. We are using Facebook commenting. Visit our FAQ page for more information.

In less than a week, Abbotsford recording artists Hedley went from touring Canada with two supporting acts and a popular new album to pariahs ensnared in allegations of sexual misconduct. On Monday, accusations that band members Jacob Hoggard, Dave Rosin, Tommy Mac and Jay Benison had engaged in sexual behaviour with teenage girls surfaced on Twitter […]

Almost Done!

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.